While May slept, Siiri crept over to Torian who was busy bent over his Con zipping through virtual screens in the air, “What are you reading?”
“Not reading, deleting all the files and images of the city, the aliens, everything except for the shield stuff.”
“Why?” The blonde girl removed her boots and sat on the bed pulling her legs close. In the dim light emanating from the Con he peered into her eyes, watching for a moment. Tired as she was, she managed a coy smile.
“I want to go home. If they see this on my Con, Intelligence will keep me for weeks. They’re going to find the city eventually, especially when we bring that shield down and they take Kaarina.”
“If they find the city, will they leave me alone?”
“Maybe … but someone leaked information about ‘Colonial Environmental Safety Society’. Remember when I scanned you and part of your brain was locked out? You have abilities, and they know the condition. That’s why they’re here, they want to make super humans and turn the tide of the war.”
Slowly she looked away, “What are they going to do to me if we get to your people?”
“I’m working on that, but you, me, and May; we never went to the alien city. We were lost under the tunnels. She was injured when her ship crashed.”
“Ok,” she touched his shoulder, “I trust you.”
“Thanks.”
“Let’s see your head, hold still,” with soft caring hands she unraveled the compress and examined the wound, “Oh wow, it’s almost healed! I can barely see the cut!”
“The polygel ointment has accelerants. I don’t feel anymore pain.”
“Good.” In the shadows, she beamed with a sweet smile, but then grew serious, “Torian?”
“Yeah?”
“What happened with the shield?”
Sighing with fatigue and putting the Con aside the young man bent over to remove his boots, then sat up and faced the blonde girl, “Jarlan designed it to kill everyone in Kaarina. Every soul.”
“What?”
“It’s difficult to understand, but people were being taken over, and he built some sort of cybernetic shield inside his head with implants to protect himself. The colony was so secret they had very few space vessels to take the people away, and no one visited often. They were all trapped …”
All of a sudden, Siiri’s mouth went wide open and her eyes began to glow. Startled, Torian sat up and backed away, unsure of what to do.
But Siiri held out her hand, “It’s all right, Torian, its Kayla!”
“What does that alien want?” He responded with contempt.
“She wants to know why you are keeping her people a secret.”
Turning away, Torian sighed, “I can’t look at you like that.”
“I know, but she wants to explain.”
“Tell her I don’t care about her city, or her people, I just want to forget all of this, the war...”
“She’s surprised.” Then Siiri added, “Forget everything?”
“Tell her to bugger off. And no, not everything…everyone…” peering at her shyly, “…you know what I mean.”
“Kayla wants to tell you about the shield.”
“All right.”
“She says that at first our minds were closed, like yours, but then Jarlan discovered the transporters.”
“Transporters?”
“The tubes, the colorful tubes in the city that reach to the sky, she calls them transporters, they give off energy, and it effected the people, opened their minds, so that Kayla’s people could transfer inside. They are all disembodied.”
“Take over you mean.”
The blonde girl swallowed, “Yes. The engineers took the transporters to the city, and that’s when the special powers started. Kayla says her people number in the millions, and they could inhabit a human because their minds were opened up by the transporters.”
“Why aren’t you possessed?”
“I’m not fully developed. Jarlan sent me out to the city to die before they could possess me.”
The young man nodded, “But Kayla still comes to you.”
“Only to visit for a little bit … and sometimes Sarloth; some are more powerful than others. She says the name of the city is Reega. It means Promised Land. Her planet was dying and her people left in giant ark ships. Her ark spend a long time, she says a thousand of our earth years trying to find a home, and when they did, they built the city from their ship…” then Siiri looked up in the dim light and Kayla was gone.
The flight specialist sat on the edge of the bed hunched over in thought and Siiri leaned up against his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, “Are you all right, Torian.”
“Yeah, I guess they had it bad here.”
“Jarlan must have felt terrible remorse.”
“We have to get you off-world, it will be daylight soon. We’ll head to our lines.”
“Will it be dangerous?”
“They’re probably trigger happy. But I think we’ll be Ok.”
She leaned her cheek against his, “Is there war close to Kanata?”
Shaking his head slowly, “No, not really, but we’re losing. Our fleets are spread too thin. We have too many assets to protect, so we can only strike in a few places.”
“What do the rebels want?”
“To leave the Confederation. There is a fleet of warships, called the Immortal Fleet, and they have vowed to destroy all of earth, so more than half of our fleet is guarding the Solar System.”
“Why not just let them leave?”
“Well, mainly because then others will leave, and because some of the rebel worlds commit certain acts and degradations to their populations.”
“So is Kanata safe?”
“Yeah. Pretty much, it’s a core world but far enough from earth,” he clasped her hands that were around his chest, “You know I smell bad.”
“You can’t smell me?”
Then he unclasped her hands and twisted around, “Let’s lay down.” she moved back and lay on her side on the hard bunk devoid of a mattress. Torian rolled up the old musty blanket on the bed into a pillow and stretched out on his back next to her. Then Siiri moved against him resting her head against his chest with one hand playing with his hair.
“I should keep watch … they might try and get in.”
“That probably a good idea,” she whispered, but neither of them moved.
“Are you comfortable?”
“With you …. yes…” slowly she raised her head and let her long blonde hair fall on Torian’s flight suit, “So who was this girl that smelled like lilacs?”
“What girl?”
“You know what I am talking about. Is she waiting for you on Kanata?”
“Nobody waits for 3 earth years.”
“I would, if you really loved someone.”
“That’s what she said.”
“Oh…so there is a girl!”
“Aye, you got me. Leigh Hutton was her name.”
“I’m listening.”
“We met in high school in the same home room. She had auburn hair and big brown eyes. I remember because we made eyes at each other for the longest time, kind of like you do to me.”
“Well, you’re pretty to look at,” Siiri replied coyly.
“That so … well I finally asked her out to the Harvest dance and after that we were always together. She had a wonderful singing voice and got a local singing contract, and made the holonet for a while.” He sighed, “Yeah, she promised she’d wait when I got called up … but I got a Dear John after my first month.”
“What’s that?”
“She wasn’t going to wait. I heard she’s married now.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That was forever ago. Tristan just laughed, he was the exact opposite, and he had a dozen girls waiting for him.”
“My kind of guy,” Siiri responded sarcastically.
“Nah, you would have liked him, he never took anything seriously, alwa
ys joking around …” Torian yawned.
She squeezed a little closer and rested her head back on his chest. He wanted to say something else but closed his eyes for a second, and then he was out.
Chapter 17: Impala
It was hours later when he woke, still dark in the room as he reached for his Con and saw that it was mid morning. They had arrived at the tower at night. May was snoring quietly curled up in the bunk across the room and that was a good sign. On his chest, Siiri slept breathing quietly and evenly. Her blonde hair spread over his upper body like a blanket and he gently stroked the silky strands. Torian lay back closing his eyes enjoying the feeling of her warm body against his. Wishing he had removed his flight suit so that he could feel her closer, he found it hard to believe that he had fallen for her so fast, having only known her for a few days. There were so many places he wanted to take her, to show her, and just to be with her.
Stirring and shifting slightly he squeezed her tighter against his body and she moved her arm to caress his cheek, “Mmmm.” she moaned. The bunk was hard on his back, but he had slept in worse places during his basic military training. The beating of her heart close to his own made him forget the stiff muscles.
A little while later May moaned rousing him while Siiri lifted her head pulling her hair across his chest.
“I need another shot, or 10.” May rubbed her head and Siiri, concerned, rolled off their bunk and padded over the check on the injured marine. Torian sat up and ran his hand through his chocolate brown hair.
Placing her hand on the long dark haired woman’s forehead, the blonde young woman whispered soothingly, “Now, just lay back, I’ll get you something to drink.”
“Don’t baby me girl, you know we have a lot of ground to cover today.”
“Just an orange juice and a coffee cube left.”
“Coffee for me, before Space Jockey sees it.”
“Siiri …” he called and held a tube of the polygel healing agent, “Take off her shirt and put these on her wounds.” Then he held up a red hypo syringe, glancing at May, “Last stim, all yours.”
“You just want to get me high.”
Overcast skies met them when they left the tower and a light drizzle spit in their faces. A rag tag group, with May’s torn combats, minus the armor, Torian’s stained flight suit, and Siiri’s frayed green shirt and ripped buckskin pants at the knees, the three walked in single file along the gravel road.
While wind whipped drops of wetness, Torian, in front, with May in the middle and Siiri guarding the rear with a pistol, read the Con on the only assault rifle left. The small black instrument, designed to be rugged and water proof, withstood the rain shooting through the virtual screens while he studied the readings.
“They’ll see us way before, no matter if we hide behind a hill or rock …” May reminded Torian.
“I know.”
“Why?” Siiri asked from behind with her pistol drawn.
May answered, “They can use fleet ships or satellites; we can’t link without a code.”
“Then there’s the counter measures and shields and stuff that messes up signals.” the lanky flight specialist added.
“I think all of that is stupid,” blue-eyed Siiri sighed.
“There you go, another thing we have in common,” the young man grinned and she smiled back.
“Me, too,” said the dark haired woman who had a barely noticeable limp and a little swelling above her left cheek.
“But at least I got some back pay coming, so when I get back I’ll have enough cash to buy a new truck, and maybe a down payment on some land.” Then he peeked back at the flaxen haired girl behind May, “You know Siiri, in the cities in Kanata they have colleges and polytechnicals, you could learn skills or something.”
“What kind of skills?”
“Anything you want. You could be a doctor, a lawyer, a nuclear biologist …” he quipped.
“Don’t scare her away, Space Jockey. Siiri, they have less intimidating programs, you can be a teacher, or a veterinarian, or a holo technician.”
“It all sounds exciting; I just hope I get there.”
The trio trekked through the slick misty rain for another hour in silence while Siiri kept an eye on May to ensure she was not straining too much. Soon Torian called everyone for a rest behind a rise on the side of the road. They sat against the grassy hill and broke out the last of their water. The rain died down and a few rays seeped through the grey miasma.
“I can see the mines in the distance.” May undid her webbing and felt her shoulder.
“How is it?” the other girl felt the dark haired marine’s wound.
“Throbbing, but bearable. The polygel is healing it.” Then she sighed, “I sure am hungry.”
Glancing behind over the small crest, he checked his Con and seeing his frown Siiri peered over, “You’re watching that herd over there.”
“Yeah, impalas, I wonder how they taste.”
“Delicious, I’m certain,” the dark almond-eyed woman responded.
“I’ll bet you can make a fire, Siiri, even with the wet ground.” Torian stood up and studied the wet plain.
“What do you think we did for entertainment?”
May jested, “Where you a little pyro?”
“I might have lit a grass fire or two.”
“I don’t know if I should give you these matches …” May reached into a webbing pouch.
“Don’t over do it.” He slung the rifle, “I’m off to be a man and hunt for you woman folk.”
“Oh brave hunter man.” The marine rolled her eyes.
With her hands on her hips Siiri remarked, “The blue table cloth or the red one? And don’t forget the wine.”
“You decide, dear,” he grinned.
May became serious, “Space Jockey …”
He turned back before leaving, “I know …”
“Watch for Solvairs and Starhawks, don’t draw attention to yourself.”
“One shot,” he glanced at Siiri, “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Be careful Torian, I’ll have a fire when you get back.”
Walking about a hundred meters on the wet grass, he came close to the herd of nimble creatures and targeted a small one near the edge. Sniffing the air, many watched him warily and when he fired from his rifle, they began to leap around all at once. Torian was a little confused, but ignored them striding to his kill. The dead animal had a smoking fist sized hole through its shoulder and he lifted it up by the legs.
When he returned they used a bayonet to cut the meat and roasted chunks with sticks over the fire from branches Siiri had gathered from nearby shrubs and brush. She had gathered the drier wood underneath the vegetation so the fire burned steadily. As soon a piece of meat was roasted and they ate.
Siiri like her meat rare and a trickle of blood ran down the side of her mouth while she chewed hungrily. May waited for her meat to cook a little longer while Torian liked it almost black.
“I never had this before, but it’s good like venison,” the blue eyed girl finished her chunk.
Torian leaned forward and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, “Savage.”
“At least mine isn’t charcoal.”
“Who cares, it feels yummy in my tummy!” The marine sighed, all filled up.
When they were finished he stamped the fire out, “Let’s get going.” Checking the Con on his rifle he glanced back while Siiri checked her webbing and her pistol. May grimaced as she pulled the straps of her webbing over her shoulder.
After a few moments they began to walk towards the mines still a few kilometres in the distance. The pace was a little faster now that they had eaten and the sun began to break through the gloomy blanket of clouds. The rest of the day was looking considerably brighter.
“May,” Torian turned back to the tall woman whose long black hair stirred in the slight breeze.
“I’m listening.”
“We’re not going to say anything about
the aliens.”
“Ok.”
“I wiped my Con of all references. You were injured in the crash. We got lost in the tunnels and came out by the mines.”
“What ever you say, Space Jockey; I don’t need the extra attention.”
“Thank you, May, you’re all right, for a grunt.”
“What will they do with Siiri?”
The wiry flight specialist glanced back at the girl, with strands of her ash blonde hair flying in the light gusts, then he stopped and strode back to her, “I’m going to give you my number, everyone has a Con number based on their DNA tag, no matter which one they use, memorize it Siiri, along with the shield codes.”
She nodded quickly when he gave her the numbers she recited them back, then he put both hands on her shoulders, “Where ever we end up, you can find me with my Con number. I don’t know if you can project in space. Siiri …” he hesitated, lost in her eyes as she watched him intensely, “what ever happens, I’ll come for you.”
“Promise…” she whispered moving her mouth close to his.
“I promise,” their lips inched almost together, but then at the last second he turned away marching up to the front.
When he passed the marine, she quietly spoke, “I would have done it …”
“Yeah …” he sighed and led them along the road.
The nickel mine buildings were tall where the shafts ran kilometres underground, and huge hover dump trucks lay abandoned haphazardly in pits with gravel roads leading down, left for a hundred years by their fleeing occupants. Torian was wary because the buildings and trucks were perfect cover for an ambush by an overzealous military patrol, but fortunately none appeared and they walked by without incident.
Over forest tree tops they glimpsed the derelict high-rises of Kaarina and Torian signalled them to slow down. The gravel road morphed into a paved parkway along the river lined with trees on one side and parkland on the other.
Marine patrols were heavily armed, heavily shielded, and had Cons supported from space or boosted signals from base scanners. The patrol appeared briefly on Torian’s Con, walking in single file along the parkway just inside the forest line, before they vanished from his instrument, and he grimaced. The parkway was sparsely dotted with hover vehicles and he motioned the other two behind an overturned transit bus with remains of victims scattered inside.
The Battle for the Ringed Planet Page 19
